Coffee shop gives teens an option

City Blend plans to create partnerships with local schools, donate to charities

DALE DOMBROWSKI/VIEWCity Blend Coffee owner Jennifer Schai rings up Bret Johnson?s purchase while Robyn Oliverio prepares the order. Schai opened the store in honor of her son Casey, who died of a drug overdose. She said she hopes that City Blend will be a welcoming place for teenagers to hang out. DALE DOMBROWSKI/VIEW Advertisement

Jennifer Schai opened City Blend Coffee to reach out to teenagers.

"We started this because my son passed away," she said. "He was 20. He died of a drug overdose."

Schai and her family want to give kids a safe place to spend their time. The owner of the coffee house at 10720 S. Eastern Ave. said there is a big rush in the afternoon with teenagers coming in after school.

Kiki Kuehnert, 18, said she stumbled upon City Blend one day with her sister. Now, she comes in to do homework when she needs a quiet place or to meet friends.

"I love the mood here," Kuehnert said. "It feels so homey, and I love the people."

Schai, who has lived in the valley since the 1980s, spent two years in Montana, where she owned a children's clothing store. She said her son told her she should have opened a coffee house or smoothie bar because it would have been a lot more fun.

"I think he would have loved it here," she said.

Schai named City Blend Coffee for her son, Casey B. Clonts. An illustration of him hangs along a side wall.

Clonts was a Coronado High School graduate. Schai said she wants to be a partner with the school or any other school that might be interested. Coronado's Jazz Band performed at the cafe earlier this month, and Schai said she wants to host more of those events.

"I'm also going to donate proceeds to a local charity that deals with keeping kids off drugs," Schai said. "It's really important to me. It's the reason I'm doing this."

The teen-friendly cafe really is a place for everyone, Schai said. There is the morning rush when guests just want to grab something and go, a daytime group that orders drinks in mugs and spends some time in the cafe, and families that come in during the later afternoon.

Just outside the front door, there are a few tables and a leash-up area for drinkers with pets.

"It's a come, hang out kind of place," Schai said.

A bookcase in the back of the store has books and games for customers to use while in the store.

"We really wanted to make this a warm, friendly place," Schai said.

There are numerous tables scattered around the spacious shop with plush chairs, a couple of couches and tall, pub-style tables. Flat-screen televisions hang on the walls near large windows. Schai said she decorated the store based on what she thought was missing in other coffee houses.

Schai said that in the two months City Blend has been open, she has noticed a comfortable atmosphere. "People just want to talk to each other. Maybe it's because it feels like a living room."

The back of the store has a stage, which can be used for musical performances, theater, or with the pull of the curtain, a conference room.

A large, family-style table sits on the stage, but Schai said all the furniture can be moved depending on what is needed at the moment.

"We're just open to anything and everything," Schai said.

The shop offers free wi-fi and a business center. Patrons can use the computer to access e-mail, the Internet, send faxes, scan or print information.

City Blend also gives local artists a venue to display their work. Schai said she wants to change the work out monthly, but a few pieces are about to sell so she might need to replace it even sooner.

Schai said customer service is important to her.

"People come in and I know who they are, and they like that," she said.

The coffee served comes from a roaster in Columbus, Ohio. Desserts come from local distributor, bindi. The hot drink menu offers mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, espresso and fresh brewed coffee. On-ice drinks include coffees, Chai lattes, Italian sodas and iced tea. There also is a frozen drink menu that includes fruit smoothies.

In addition to cakes, cannolis and other desserts, the cafe has some pastries and sandwiches.

Items range in price from $1.50 to $4.25

A second City Blend Coffee location will open on Maryland Parkway and Pebble Road in spring 2008. The store will be run by Schai's oldest son and will have a drive-thru and less seating then the current shop.

City Blend Coffee is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, visit www.cityblendcoffee.com.